Moscow, SANA- The Russian General Staff affirmed on Friday that the Russian Air Force continues its sorties against the sites of terrorist organizations in Syria.

Chief of the main operations department of the Russian General Staff Sergey Rudskoy said in a statement published by RT website that the Russian Air Force conducts 25 sorties daily against the sites of Jabhat al-Nusra and ISIS.

He added that the Syrian armed forces backed by the Russian Air Force are conducting a large-scale operation to restore control over Tadmour (Palmyra) city.

“Everything necessary has been provided for the encirclement and definitive defeat of ISIS in Palmyra,” Rudskoy said, adding that the Syrian Army had already taken control over all dominant heights and major roads around the city. The terrorists’ logistical support has also been cut off.

The Russian Center for Coordinating and observing the cessation of hostilities in Hmeimeem said that 5 breaches of the cessation of hostilities by terrorists were observed during the past 24 hours, raising the number of breaches to 247 since the agreement came into force.

The Russian Center is operating round-the-clock at Hmeimeem air base in coordination with the US center in Jordan and a ceasefire center set up by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) based in Geneva.

“They exchange information at least twice a day,” Rudskoy clarified.

He pointed out that measures taken by the Russian Armed Forces to promote inter-Syrian dialogue are contributing to enhancing the cessation of hostilities, adding that the increase in the number of the armed groups joining the agreement which reached 43 inspires confidence that this process will become irreversible.

He revealed that reconciliation agreements have been signed with mayors of 51 towns by virtue of Russia’s mediation, including 37 towns in Hama countryside, 6 towns in Homs, 4 towns in Damascus Countryside and 4 towns the countryside of Daraa.

Rudskoy pointed out that the situation in Syria is witnessing the gradual return of stability since the cessation of hostilities agreement came into force, adding that the decline in the intensity of hostilities has allowed residents of a number of areas to return to their homes.

Later, the Russian Defense Ministry stated that the armed group known as “Liwa’a al-Sultan Murad” (Sultan Murad Brigade) opened fire with heavy artillery on several areas in Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood in the northern part of Aleppo city.